US losing planes in Iran war: What we know so far (VIDEOS/PHOTOS)

Two US military aircraft were shot down by Iranian fire on Friday, as the US and Israel continue their strikes. The incident resulted in a successful high-risk search-and-rescue mission deep inside Iranian territory.

The losses occurred less than 48 hours after US President Donald Trump announced that Iran is “beaten and completely decimated” and has “no anti-aircraft equipment,” ramping up the stakes for the conflict, which is already unpopular at home. Iranian officials, however, called the incident a “black day” for the US military.

Here is what we know so far.

What happened?

On Friday, a US Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle assigned to the 494th Fighter Squadron – part of the 48th Fighter Wing, normally based in Suffolk, England – was shot down over central Iran while conducting combat operations, according to US media outlets.

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Both crew members – a pilot and a weapons systems officer – successfully ejected. US special forces quickly rescued the pilot within Iran.

The rescue of the weapons systems officer, however, occurred more than a day later. US helicopters dispatched as part of the initial effort were hit by Iranian fire. According to the Washington Post, US personnel on board were injured, but both aircraft safely returned to their base.

Videos circulating on social media show what appears to be Iranian militia opening small arms fire on two US helicopters.

Axios later reported that the weapons officer was extracted by “a specialized commando unit with a high volume of air cover,” with all forces successfully leaving Iran. 

Fox News correspondent Jennifer Griffin said, citing sources, that the service member used his special survival training to evade capture, hiding on an elevated ridge after hiking away from the wreckage and putting out an emergency beacon.

She also claimed that the CIA played a part in the operation, launching a “deception campaign” inside Iran stating that US forces had already found the officer and were moving him on the ground – which was not true at the time.

In addition, an A-10 Thunderbolt II – a single-seat ground-attack aircraft – was struck by Iranian fire while supporting search-and-rescue efforts. The pilot managed to navigate the damaged plane out of Iranian airspace before ejecting over Kuwait, where he was subsequently recovered.

What does the US say?

The Pentagon and CENTCOM have mostly been tight-lipped on the downing of jets. The Pentagon, however, notified the House Armed Services Committee of the loss of the F-15E, according to The Hill.

After the end of the extraction operation, Trump confirmed that both airmen from the downed F-15 were rescued “without a SINGLE American killed, or even wounded,” praising the military for the “daring” rescue.

Trump said the downing of the jet won’t affect peace negotiations with Iran – which Tehran insists are not taking place at all.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said he is “praying for the safe return of the crew aboard the fighter jet and all of those working to rescue them in these dangerous conditions.”

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What damage has Iran inflicted on US military bases?

Former US Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Michael Ratney told ABC News that the US was sure to lose some aircraft over enemy territory at some point, but said the development is “disturbing.” 

“It potentially represents a major escalation. If the missing crew member remains missing, huge political pressure in the United States to do anything to find that person.”

What does Iran say?

Iranian media initially identified the downed aircraft as an F-35 stealth fighter, though the claim was later refuted by US media and OSINT experts.

The Iranian military claimed that, on top of the two aircraft, they downed five drones and missiles, describing it as a “black day” for the US and Israel. Tehran also stated that a “new advanced” air defense system was used to destroy the aircraft, adding that it shows that its forces still have fighting capability.

Iranian state TV has called on people to capture the surviving US crew, with the local authorities offering a reward of around $60,000 for anyone who hands over the American service members alive.

Footage circulating on social media shows what appears to be a group of local residents armed with rifles and carrying an Iranian flag heading out to the mountains for their own ‘rescue mission’, with another clip showing the aircraft debris.

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf mocked the US, saying that “after defeating Iran 37 times in a row, this brilliant no-strategy war they started has now been downgraded from ‘regime change’ to ‘Hey! Can anyone find our pilots? Please?’”

As the US rescue operation was unfolding, Iran claimed to have destroyed a C-130 military transport plane and two Black Hawk helicopters, with videos showing the aircraft’s debris. Officials in Tehran did not say whether any of the US service members were killed or captured.

Iranian media has also shared photos of a heavily damaged CH-47 helicopter in Kuwait, saying it was hit in a drone strike.

Did the US lose planes in the Iran war before this incident?

Friday marked the first time during the US-Israeli strikes on Iran that Tehran has beyond reasonable doubt downed a manned US aircraft. However, America had already lost several jets.

©  EGYOSINT / Screenshot

On March 1, shortly after the start of the conflict, three F-15E Strike Eagles were shot down over Kuwait by Kuwaiti F/A-18 aircraft in what CENTCOM called an “apparent friendly fire incident.” All crew members ejected safely.

On March 12, two KC-135 Stratotanker refueling aircraft were involved in a midair collision over western Iraq. One of the planes crashed, killing all six crew members aboard. CENTCOM confirmed that “this was not due to hostile fire or friendly fire.”

On March 19, a US F-35 fighter jet was hit by Iranian ground fire during a combat mission. The pilot, who suffered shrapnel wounds, managed to land the aircraft at a US air base in the region.

On March 27, an Iranian strike on a Saudi Arabia air base destroyed an E-3 Sentry AWACS command and control aircraft, with photos showing the plane, which costs up to $500 million, split in two.